| Championship play off final 10:30 - May 13 with 24037 views | Whiterockin |
Will it be Hull v Southampton or will Southampton be disqualified leaving the door open for Middlesbrough.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo
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| Championship play off final on 10:32 - May 19 with 1402 views | RodgerTheDodger |
The EFL will be concerned to minimize the damage to the reputation of the league. Boro clearly see this as a route to the final, but the Afcon affair is a clear warning, they made themselves look entirely ridiculous.
As part of that the EFL will want to keep the 'interested parties' to a minimum to avoid a bun fight with lots of shouting and public pointy fingers. Boro have shown they want to get involved in that, which was a misjudgement, Hellberg should have kept quiet and not tried to strong arm the League. They were never going to let that happen.
The League warnings about the final on Saturday I thought always looked precautionary, partly so no one could say the Panel were given limited options in their decision on punishment, but they made it clear they would like it all sorted before Saturday, pretty please.
Now just to show how much I know the decision will turn out to be Soton out of the final and relegated to boot, with a 'How much have you got' fine. |  | | |
| Championship play off final on 11:32 - May 19 with 1358 views | pete |
| Championship play off final on 10:32 - May 19 by RodgerTheDodger |
The EFL will be concerned to minimize the damage to the reputation of the league. Boro clearly see this as a route to the final, but the Afcon affair is a clear warning, they made themselves look entirely ridiculous.
As part of that the EFL will want to keep the 'interested parties' to a minimum to avoid a bun fight with lots of shouting and public pointy fingers. Boro have shown they want to get involved in that, which was a misjudgement, Hellberg should have kept quiet and not tried to strong arm the League. They were never going to let that happen.
The League warnings about the final on Saturday I thought always looked precautionary, partly so no one could say the Panel were given limited options in their decision on punishment, but they made it clear they would like it all sorted before Saturday, pretty please.
Now just to show how much I know the decision will turn out to be Soton out of the final and relegated to boot, with a 'How much have you got' fine. |
for me as the efl are in control and if they want to send a clear message, kick souithampton out WITH a 15 point deduction next season the game moved to next wednesday,
with the unknown if the prem would inforce a points deduction or not and the money southampton would get should they win for me removes a fine as would not hurt them, but honestly cannot see my suggestion happening | | | |
| Championship play off final on 12:02 - May 19 with 1329 views | swancity |
“Spying” on a training session? How disgraceful. Does it really matter? | |
| Only an idiot would eat a turkey curry on Christmas day |
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| Championship play off final on 12:20 - May 19 with 1306 views | Ray_Delauney |
| Championship play off final on 12:02 - May 19 by swancity |
“Spying” on a training session? How disgraceful. Does it really matter? |
I guess it does. Otherwise there wouldn't be a rule to prevent it. | | | |
| Championship play off final on 12:59 - May 19 with 1227 views | union_jack |
| Championship play off final on 12:20 - May 19 by Ray_Delauney |
I guess it does. Otherwise there wouldn't be a rule to prevent it. |
Or a desire to do it in the first place.
Silly question. |  |
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| Championship play off final on 13:04 - May 19 with 1222 views | swancity |
| Championship play off final on 12:20 - May 19 by Ray_Delauney |
I guess it does. Otherwise there wouldn't be a rule to prevent it. |
Yes but there needs to be some perspective here. You can watch another team train. That’s fine. But not in the three day period leading up to a game. There is little to gain. If anything in reality. Set piece routines are of course rehearsed but you can learn far more from watching an opponent play a match. From the team strengths and weaknesses and individual areas that can be targeted.
Of course they should be fined as it’s now not allowed but that’s it. It’s really a storm in a tea cup as it was a high profile game. It goes on all the time but let’s be fair here. What have they gained if anything. Fine them and get on with it. | |
| Only an idiot would eat a turkey curry on Christmas day |
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| Championship play off final on 18:40 - May 19 with 1073 views | KeithHaynes |
| Championship play off final on 13:04 - May 19 by swancity |
Yes but there needs to be some perspective here. You can watch another team train. That’s fine. But not in the three day period leading up to a game. There is little to gain. If anything in reality. Set piece routines are of course rehearsed but you can learn far more from watching an opponent play a match. From the team strengths and weaknesses and individual areas that can be targeted.
Of course they should be fined as it’s now not allowed but that’s it. It’s really a storm in a tea cup as it was a high profile game. It goes on all the time but let’s be fair here. What have they gained if anything. Fine them and get on with it. |
Allegedly other teams involved 🤷🏻♂️ |  |
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| Championship play off final on 18:47 - May 19 with 1066 views | raynor94 |
Saints kicked out just wow! |  |
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| Championship play off final on 18:48 - May 19 with 1065 views | johnjack |
Southampton kicked out and drop 4 points at start of next season. What happens next? | | | |
| Championship play off final on 18:49 - May 19 with 1064 views | raynor94 |
| Championship play off final on 18:48 - May 19 by johnjack |
Southampton kicked out and drop 4 points at start of next season. What happens next? |
They are bound to appeal | |
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| Championship play off final on 18:50 - May 19 with 1056 views | KeithHaynes |
Southampton kicked out !
Wow. They have 24 hours to appeal.
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| Championship play off final on 18:54 - May 19 with 1049 views | Whiterockin |
| Championship play off final on 18:50 - May 19 by KeithHaynes |
Southampton kicked out !
Wow. They have 24 hours to appeal.
This post has been edited by an administrator |
It had to happen, the rule was brought in for a reason and a precedent has been set. | | | |
| Championship play off final on 18:55 - May 19 with 1048 views | cimlaswan |
Hull to play Middlesbrough in final. Did not expect that decision at all. [Post edited 19 May 18:55]
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| Championship play off final on 18:56 - May 19 with 1040 views | raynor94 |
Surely Eckert should be sacked if he has been using spying information on numerous times this season | |
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| Championship play off final on 19:01 - May 19 with 1034 views | TenbySwan |
I did read it the comments on BBC article and someone commented that an appeal was not allowed. |  | | |
| Championship play off final on 19:01 - May 19 with 1034 views | Whiterockin |
| Championship play off final on 18:56 - May 19 by raynor94 |
Surely Eckert should be sacked if he has been using spying information on numerous times this season |
I would say appeal tomorrow and sacked on Friday. Guilty of spying on three teams this season. [Post edited 19 May 19:04]
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| Championship play off final on 19:05 - May 19 with 1020 views | union_jack |
The right decision. Let’s hope it’s upheld at appeal. | |
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| Championship play off final on 19:08 - May 19 with 1013 views | cimlaswan |
Bet the Soton fans who were mocking Middlesbrough the other night feel incredibly silly now. | | | |
| Championship play off final on 19:10 - May 19 with 1005 views | Whiterockin |
| Championship play off final on 19:08 - May 19 by cimlaswan |
Bet the Soton fans who were mocking Middlesbrough the other night feel incredibly silly now. |
The Southampton fans are going to shite all next season, TBH I can't wait. | | | |
| Championship play off final on 19:14 - May 19 with 988 views | Whiterockin |
EFL statement.
The EFL released the following statement this evening.
An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs after the Club admitted to multiple breaches of EFL Regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other Clubs’ training.
In addition, the Club has received a four-point deduction that will be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table, alongside a reprimand in respect of all the charges.
The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 Play-Offs and will proceed to the Play-Off Final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.
Southampton was first charged on Friday 8 May, with further charges issued on Sunday 17 May in relation to additional breaches during the 2025/26 season. Those additional charges arose from matters identified after the initial proceedings involving Middlesbrough were initiated.
Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The admitted breaches concern fixtures against Oxford United in December 2025, Ipswich Town in April 2026 and Middlesbrough in May 2026.
Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission’s decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture.
The EFL is now in discussion with all three Clubs regarding the implications of today’s decision and will make a further announcement in due course.
The Commission’s full written reasons will also be published in due course. | | | |
| Championship play off final on 19:17 - May 19 with 983 views | Cheese_addict |
| Championship play off final on 19:01 - May 19 by TenbySwan |
I did read it the comments on BBC article and someone commented that an appeal was not allowed. |
I think Boro weren’t allowed to appeal had they lost the case, but I’m pretty sure the saints can appeal it from tomorrow [Post edited 19 May 19:18]
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| Championship play off final on 19:25 - May 19 with 958 views | KeithHaynes |
| Championship play off final on 18:56 - May 19 by raynor94 |
Surely Eckert should be sacked if he has been using spying information on numerous times this season |
He hasn’t got a leg to stand on. He would have introduced some of the info into team talks or what’s the point ?
He's bolloxed. | |
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| Championship play off final on 19:27 - May 19 with 952 views | jack_lord |
Well I didn't expect it to go that way but it is a brave decision. Harsh on what happened but the rules..... Why fecking risk it. If it is because the stakes are so high then you have got your answer why the decision to expel them from the play off's was made. |  |
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| Championship play off final on 19:32 - May 19 with 943 views | JACKMANANDBOY |
| Championship play off final on 19:17 - May 19 by Cheese_addict |
I think Boro weren’t allowed to appeal had they lost the case, but I’m pretty sure the saints can appeal it from tomorrow [Post edited 19 May 19:18]
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Saints winning an appeal would be interesting.
😉 |  |
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| Championship play off final on 19:54 - May 19 with 876 views | heatwave |
What are they expecting from the appeal? The best they could get surely is the 4 point deduction removed after admitting the offences. |  | | |
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